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having first taken an oath of allegiance to the same, may purchase, or, by other just means, acquire, hold, and transfer land, or other real estate; and after one year's residence shall be deemed a free citizen.

41. That a school or schools shall be established by the legislature, for the convenient instruction of youth, with such salaries to the masters, paid by the public, as may enable them to instruct at low prices; and, all useful learning shall be duly encouraged and promoted, in one or more universities.

42. That no purchase of lands shall be made of the Indian natives, but on behalf of the public, by authority of the general assembly.

43. That the future legislature of this state shall regulate entails, in such a manner as to prevent perpetuities

44. That the declaration of rights is hereby declared to be part of the constitution of this state, and ought never to be violated on any pretence whatsoever.

45. That any member, of either house of general assembly, shall have liberty to dissent from, and protest against any act or resolve, which he may think injurious to the public, or any individual, and have the reasons of his dissent, entered on the journals.

46. That neither house of the general assembly shall proceed upon public business, unless a majority of all the members of such house are actually present; and that, upon a motion made and seconded, the yeas and nays, upon any question, shall be taken and entered on the journals; and that the journals of the proceedings of both houses of the general assembly shall be printed, and made public, immediately after their adjournment.

This constitution is not intended to preclude the present congress from making a temporary provision, for the well ordering of this state, until the general assembly shall establish government, agreeable to the mode herein before described.

RICHARD CASWELL, President. December the eighteenth, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, read the third time, and ratified in open congress.

By order:

James Green, jun. Secretary.

CONSTITUTION OF

SOUTH CAROLINA.

WE, the delegates of the people of the state of South Carolina, in general convention met, do ordain and establish this constitution for its government.

ARTICLE 1.

§ 1. The legislative authority of this state shall be vested in a general assembly, which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives.

2. The house of representatives shall be composed of members, chosen by ballot, every second year, by the eitizens of this state, qualified as in this constitution is provided. :

3. The several election districts in this state shall elect the following number of representatives, viz:

Charleston, including St. Philip }

and St. Michael,

Christ Church

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St. John, Berkely,

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St. Andrew,

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4. Every free white man, of the age of twenty-one years, being a citizen of this state, and having resided therein two years previous to the day of election, and who hath a freehold of fifty acres of land, or a town lot, of which he hath been legally seized and possessed, at least six months before such election, or, not having such freehold or town lot, hath been a resident in the election district, in which he offers to give his vote, six months before the said election, and hath paid a tax the preceding year of three shillings sterling towards the support of this government, shall have a right to vote for a member or members, to serve in either branch of the legislature, for the election district in which he holds such property, or is so resident.

5. The returning officer, or any other person present, entitled to vote, may require any person who shall offer his vote at an election, to produce a certificate of his citizen

ship, and a receipt from the tax collector of his having paid a tax, entitling him to vote, or to swear, or affirm, that he is duly qualified to vote agreeably to this constitution.

6. No person shall be eligible to a seat in the house of representatives, unless he is a free white man, of the age of twenty-one years, and hath been a citizen and resident in this state three years previous to his election. If a resident in the election district, he shall not be eligible to a seat in the house of representatives, unless he be legally seized and possessed, in his own rights, of a settled freehold estate of five hundred acres of land, and ten negroes; or of a real estate, of the value of one hundred and fifty pounds sterling, clear of debt. If a non-resident, he shall be legally seized and possessed of a settled freehold estate therein, of the value of five hundred pounds sterling, clear of debt.

7. The senate shall be composed of members to be chosen for four years, in the following proportions, by the citizens of this state, qualified to elect members to the house of representatives, at the same time, in the same manner, and at the same places, where they shall vote for representatives, viz:

Charleston, (including St. Philip and St. Michael)

Christ Church,

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St. John, Berkely,

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St. Andrew,

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St. James, Goose Creek,

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St. Thomas and St. Dennis,

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8. No person shall be eligible to a seat in the senate, unless he is a free white man, of the age of thirty years, and hath been a citizen and resident in this state five years previous to his election. If a resident in the election district, he shall not be eligible, unless he be legally seized and possessed, in his own right, of a settled freehold estate of the value of three hundred pounds sterling, clear of debt. If a non-resident in the election district, he shall not be eligible unless he be legally seized and possessed, in his own right, of a settled freehold estate, in the said district, of the -value of one thousand pounds sterling, clear of debt.

9. Immediately after the senators shall be assembled, in consequence of the first election, they shall be divided by lot into two classes. The seats of the senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration of the second year, and of the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year; so that one half thereof, as near as possible, may be chosen, for ever thereafter, every second year, for the term of four years.

10. Senators, and members of the house of representatives, shall be chosen on the second Monday in October next, and the day following; and on the same days in every second year thereafter, in such manner, and at such times, as are herein directed; and shall meet on the fourth Monday in November annually, at Columbia, (which shall remain the seat of government, until otherwise determined, by the oncurrence of two thirds of both branches of the whole

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